THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at NCOM NEWS BYTES

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

BUSH NEW CHIEF OF STAFF IS A HARLEY MAN The favorite ride of the president’s new chief of staff is a Harley Fat Boy, and to appreciate how much of an insider Joshua Bolten has become in the Bush administration, suffice it to say that Bolten keeps a spare hog at President Bush’s Texas ranch.

“I’ve ridden motorcycles for a long time. It’s not just a midlife crisis,” Bolten told the cable network C-SPAN in an interview last year. “The one that I ride most now, the one that’s really close to my heart, is the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, a 2003 anniversary edition.”

Bolten, 51, crafted campaign policy for the president and served as deputy chief of staff before becoming director of the Office of Management and Budget in June 2003. That entailed frequent travel with Bush, which led to Bolten leaving a motorcycle at the Prairie Chapel Ranch near Crawford, Texas.

In his OMB office, he displays a motorcycle gas tank commemorating the 100th anniversary of Harley-Davidson. During the 2000 campaign, he formed Bikers for Bush.

Bolten, who has never married, gained particular notoriety when he gave a motorcycle ride at one of the group’s rallies to actress Bo Derek.

“You need to clear your mind of everything else,” Bolten has said of biking, “because if you’re not concentrating properly when you’re riding a motorcycle, you’re putting your life in danger.”

That focus is useful for a chief of staff who literally holds other people’s lives in his hands. Holding one of Washington?s most powerful jobs, Bolten will be managing a flow of daily briefings for the president on everything from national security to natural calamity.

The Bush administration considers Bolten “well-respected” inside and outside the administration, with White House spokesman Scott McClellan saying: “The president believes he was the best person for the job.”

One of his personal effects he relocated from his grand Eisenhower Executive Office Building quarters to a less-spacious but more prestigious corner perch in the West Wing only steps from the Oval Office, was a motorcycle-shaped menorah.

MISSOURI HOUSE PASSES HELMET LAW REPEAL AS DEBATE CONTINUES The Missouri House of Representatives passed a bill that would repeal the helmet law. House Bill 994 would no longer require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet if they are 21 years and older. It will now go to the Senate.

Joan Hightower, a manager at Doc’s Harley-Davidson in Kirkwood, said, “I think it should be up to the individual motorcyclist to either wear a helmet or not wear a helmet.” Hightower sometimes takes off her helmet when she rides in Illinois because there is no such law.

Representative Gary Dusenberg, the sponsor of the bill, said, “Helmets do help but they’re not the savior for everything. I was a highway patrolman for 27 years and I can tell you anyone on a motorcycle involved in a serious traffic accident most likely aren’t going to survive whether or not they have a helmet or not.”

Dusenberg said people over 21-years-old can vote and fight for their country and therefore should have the freedom of choice.

RIGHT-OF-WAY BILL PASSES IN WEST VIRGINIA SB-473, the Reckless Driving bill also known as “Danny’s Law”, has passed all hurdles in the West Virginia Legislature. It passed unanimously on every vote, and has been signed by motorcycle-riding Governor Joe Manchin.

“We asked for the sun, moon, and the stars, and got a good piece of legislation that everyone agreed on,” said Don “Duck” Smith of ABATE of West Virginia. “ABATE of West Virginia would like to thank all of those from outside our borders that stepped up to help with e-mails, phone calls, and letters to our legislators when we asked. Without your help we could not have made this a reality.”

SB-473 creates a crime of reckless driving, a misdemeanor punishable by 5-90 days in jail and/or a fine of $25-$500. A conviction of reckless driving resulting in serious bodily injury is punishable by 10 days to 6 months in jail or fine of $50-$1,000, or both.

IOWA ENACTS R-O-W LAW The day after Governor Joe Manchin signed a new Right-of-Way Violations law in West Virginia, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed similar legislation into law.

Iowa?s new R-O-W law adds a fine of $500 and/or up to 90 days driver’s license suspension for traffic violations that result in serious injury. If a driver?s actions cause a death, penalties increase to $1,000 or a license suspension of up to 180 days, or both. These are penalty enhancements, meaning that they can be imposed in addition to any other fines.

GEORGIA PASSES R-O-W LAW HB-1392, Georgia?s Right-Of-Way Violation bill to increase penalties against drivers who commit a Right of Way violation resulting in injury or death, has passed the House and Senate and is expected to be signed by Governor Sonny Perdue during their May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month proclamation ceremony. It will become law on July 1st.

Seven other states have passed similar Right-Of-Way laws: Arkansas, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

KANSAS REPEALS HANDLEBAR HEIGHT LAW House Bill 2296, the handlebar height repeal of existing state statute, was added as an amendment to Senate Bill 278, which eventually passed the Senate by a vote of 38 Yeas and 2 Nays.

?Current statute states that if a rider?s hands are at or above shoulder height, it was a violation,? said Chris Maurich, Lobbyist for ABATE of Kansas. ?I testified that this had never been a safety issue, rather a harassment issue. Modern language called this profiling, and ABATE of Kansas wanted no limitations, period.?

When questioned by a member of the House who asked “How tall would you recommend?” Maurich informed the House that they wanted to eliminate all reference to measurement. “As a colleague from Minnesota told the legislature there, we have overpasses in the state.”

Ape hangers will be legal in Kansas, upon publishing this bill in the statute book.

IDAHO PASSES RED LIGHT LAW Idaho has become the fourth state to pass a law allowing a motorcycle to ride through a red light after stopping and meeting certain standards.

S1367, which was promoted by ABATE of North Idaho, allows a motorcycle to proceed through a traffic-actuated signal if it is stuck on red.

Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed S1367 into law, which takes effect July 1, 2006.Arkansas, Minnesota and Tennessee are the other three states to pass similar legislation.

MARYLAND STUDY FINDS RED LIGHT CAMERAS INCREASE ACCIDENTS Red light cameras in Anne Arundel County, Maryland increased accidents 25-41 percent, but generated $2.85 million in revenue. Camera vendor ATS receives a $20 bounty on every ticket the company issues.

A set of five cameras were set up in the communities of Arnold, Pasadena, Parole, and Crofton in 2000, but a comparison of accident statistics five years before and five years after their installation shows accidents have increased beyond the ten percent increase in traffic volume.

Upon installation, the cameras caused an immediate 40 percent increase in rear-end collisions from 53 in 1999 to 74 in 2000. Overall accidents were up between 25 percent and 41 percent from 107 in 1999 to 134 in 2001 and 151 in 2002.

A number of independent studies have documented similar negative side effects to red light camera enforcement. As a result of research on Virginia’s camera program, the legislature decided last July to end photo ticketing in the state. West Virginia’s legislature approved its own camera ban which was signed into law on March 31.

I was hoping that the above was about legalizing Red Light Districts. There I go dreaming again.–Bandit

FUEL PRICES DRIVE MOTORCYCLING As summer days approach, motorcycle enthusiasts expect to use their Harleys, Kawasakis and Hondas more often and for longer periods of time than they did a year ago. Gas prices and a strong passion for riding are two of the main driving factors behind the increased desire to ride, according to a new survey by Nationwide Mutual Insurance.

According to the survey, 35 percent of motorcyclists said they will ride their bikes more over the next year as a result of fuel prices, turning their hobby into an everyday form of transportation. Survey respondents reported they spent 26 percent of their total riding time last year commuting to work.

While most riders have insurance, one in three indicated they are unsure if they have adequate coverage, and more than one in ten surveyed indicated they are not insured. Among insured riders, one in five said they are not covered for liability and one-third are not covered for collision or medical payments.

More than 30 percent of motorcyclists surveyed don’t believe they have enough insurance to cover the replacement value of their bikes and 14 percent said they would rather take their chances than pay to fully insure it.

The survey conducted by Brandware of 2,544 motorcycle, power boat, bass boat and ATV owners shows that both male and female motorcyclists expect to ride their bikes for approximately 22 more hours than they did in the past year. Male motorcyclists expect to ride 172 hours over the next year, while female riders expect to ride 146 hours. Motorcyclists are so passionate about their fuel-efficient bikes they indicated they will pay $3 to $4 more per gallon before they stop riding.

According to the survey, both male and female motorcyclists committed over half of their total money spent on leisure activities to accessories and improvements to their motorcycle over the past five years. Male riders invested more than $7,000 on their bikes over this time period, more than any other group of powersport enthusiast.

ENGLISH BIKERS SAY BUREAUCRATS ARE FORCING THEM OFF THE ROAD A Reading motorcycle group has declared “total war” on proposed Euro laws which they claim are trying to drive them off the road.

The European Commission in Brussels has ruled that motorcyclists should be 19 – instead of the current 17-year-old minimum – to ride machines over 125cc.

The age for direct access tests, which enable riders to skip a two-year probationary period to ride machines of any power, will also rise from 21 to 24.

And to progress to a larger motorcycle category, riders will be required to take either a minimum number of hours training or a practical test.

Ian Newnham, of the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) in Reading, said: “This is total war. The EU has rammed through the directive in a way that shows contempt for motorcyclists’ views.They want bikes off the road.

“The safety bureaucrats have become target obsessed, setting accident reduction targets using statistics that are baloney.

“They have totally lost a sense of balance between riders’ reasonable expectations for mobility and the prevention of accidents.”

Newnham called on the European Parliament to throw the directive out and said: “We have to be more determined to preserve biking than they are to destroy it.?

WEIRD NEWS: OWNER GETS BACK BIKE STOLEN IN 1971 Authorities recovered a motorcycle that was stolen in 1971 and plan to return it to its original owner.

The 1970 Yamaha was about to be shipped overseas to a Finnish man who bought it for $1,725 on eBay in September, authorities said Monday. During the shipping process, the vehicle identification number turned up in the database of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Long Beach police still had the theft report and tracked down the original owner, Phillip McKeen, who lives in New England. Police officials plan to return the 360cc bike to McKeen.

“Incredible,” said McKeen, an American Airlines pilot. “It’s as if a friend you hadn’t seen for 30 years walked back into your life but hadn’t aged a day.”

The 35-year-old bike has just 9,380 miles on the odometer.

Neither the Finnish buyer nor the seller, a Visalia resident, were suspected of wrongdoing, authorities said.

A similar case unfolded in January when a Corvette that had been stolen in 1969 was recovered as it was about to be shipped to Sweden through the Port of Los Angeles, said Mike Fleming of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: ?The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.?Michelangelo (1475 – 1564)

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LIVING LEGEND JEFF WARD–Jeff Ward has become a living legend within the Motorsports industry. He was the first Motocross/Supercross star to capture titles in every major AMA national motocross series. He was also the first rider to win seven national titles for a single manufacturer. Kawasaki Motor Corp., U.S.A. congratulates Ward on his induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America tonight at Detroit’s Stage Theater.

QUICK, ENTER THE D&D PERFORMANCE EXHAUST BIKINI CONTEST–Join the D&D Performance Exhaust Bikini Contest. It is easy to enter. Just send in a picture of your bike with your favorite bikini honey. Each week we pull the best picture and award a D&D Performance Exhaust t-shirt. Then we pull them all together and the winner receives a set of D&D Performance Exhausts.

Send a picture of your motorcycle and bikini babe to dd@horsepowermarkeing.com.

Include in your email your Name, Motorcycle, Year, Model, Email and Telephone number. The contest runs from August 17th through September 28th.

Rules

1. Only one entry per person. Duplicate entries will be removed.
2. How to enter – Send in a picture of your motorcycle and bikini model to dd@horsepowermarkeing.com. Include name, city, state, motorcycle, year, t-shirt size, email and telephone number.
3. No nudity
4. Winners will be notified by e-mail.
5. No purchase necessary to enter contest.
6. Winners are picked weekly by Bikernet judges and will receive a D&D t-shirt. Bikernet judges will select the best contestants and combine weekly winners into grand prize voting. The grand prize is a set of D&D pipes with the winner selected by votes from the Bikernet website.
7. All entrants selected by the Bikernet judges and weekly winners are eligible for the Grand Prize.
8. Grand prize voting – Only one vote per computer.
9. Bikernet and D&D Performance Enterprises are not responsible for any damages, taxes, or expenses that the winner might incur as a result of this contest, or receipt and use of prizes.
10. If a winner does not respond within 30 days, the prize will be forfeited. If the Grand Prize winner does not respond within 30 days, the prize will be forfeited and the second place winner will be selected.
11. Entrants receive e-mails.
12. Each item includes free surface shipping. (International winners are responsible for freight expense). No other fees are included.
13. All prizes except cannot be returned for exchange or credit.
14. Monthly winners are not eligible for additional monthly prizes. All entrants and monthly winners are eligible for the Grand Prize.
15. Winners agree to allow their name, city, state and country to be viewed on the winners list on our website.
16. Employees of Bikernet and D&D Performance Enterprises and their families are not eligible for this contest.
17. By entering this contest, the participant agrees to all the above terms and conditions. Any misrepresentation will result in forfeiture of prize.
18. Judges decisions are final.
19. Contest runs from August 17th through September 28th.
20. Weekly contest shuts down for Bonneville racing on September 7th and August 31st.

ITMFA IN IOWA: STATE TRIES TO TAKE BACK GLEN’S PLATES!–Glen Keenan got his shiny new personalized license plates on Aug. 1.The polite, but firm, letter from the Iowa Department of Transportation arrived a week later.If he would be so kind, the state told him, please “voluntarily surrender” the new plates. Within 10 days. In other words, pronto.

“I don’t know what to do, but I don’t think so,” said Keenan, a lifelong Iowan from Jefferson County. “It’s not an obscene message. I really don’t understand why I wouldn’t be allowed to keep them.”Keenan tells me this is what his personalized Iowa license plates say: ITMFA.

There were two complaints about Keenan’s plates similar to the objection somebody had in Chapter 1 of Iowa’s personalized license plate problem.Surely you remember John Miller of Boone, the guy who put the “F NADER” plates on his Corvair. The state has ordered the plate be revoked, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is intervening on his behalf.The first step is an administrative hearing. Keenan says he, too, is in contact with the ACLU.

Miller’s and Keenan’s are two of the nine state-ordered revocations this year.”I don’t know what the big deal is with mine,” said Keenan, 41. “My plate isn’t vulgar. It’s simply a series of letters than can mean any number of things.”

Really?

“Sure,” he said. “It can mean ‘Impeach the Miserable Failure Already.’ Or it could mean ‘Information Technology Masters Fine Arts.’ You could think of lots of things. I mean, any vehicle with an ‘F’ on the license plate could be objectionable to somebody.”

Which is why they are treating migraines at the Iowa Department of Transportation. And possibly elsewhere.The Web site also has pictures of vehicles in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., with the same message on license plates.What will it take for Keenan to ditch the plates?

“I’ll give them up if Bush is impeached or when he’s no longer president,” Keenan said.

–from Nick

MISS TEXAS NATIONAL BIKE SHOW–Well here she is the beautiful Miss Texas National Bike Show 2005 Liz, on the winning poster contest bike from Hemi Head Customs, this image will be gracing our 2006 Texas National show poster, so look for it in your local shop or favorite ice house.

Again our thanks to BIKERNET for sponsoring our show this year and hosting the poster contest, we couldn’t have done it without them.

Don’t forget that registration for the 2006 Texas National Bike Show is in full swing http://www.texasnationalbikeshow.com , there are still great spaces available for both vendors and bike show participants. Look for more updates thanks to our good friends at Bikernet.

See you at the show,
–Mrs. Devil

THE IMAGE OF AMERICAN SPIRIT–I believe in these difficult and mean-spirited times in which we live there needs to be a message of hope.

Just a single image that speaks to us of love, harmony, peace and joy.

An image that suggests the universal brotherhood of man.

I have found that image, and I ask that all of you take a moment to be inspired by it.

–from Art F.

A RELIGIOUS ETIQUETTE LESSON–The pastor entered his donkey in a race and it won.The pastor was so pleased with the donkey that he entered it in therace again, and it won again. The local paper read:

PASTOR’S ASS OUT FRONT

The Bishop was so upset with this kind of publicity that he ordered thepastor not to enter the donkey in another race.The next day, the local paper headline read:

BISHOP SCRATCHES PASTOR’S ASS.

This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the pastor to get ridof the donkey. The pastor decided to give it to a nun in a nearby convent. Thelocal paper, hearing of the news, posted the following headline thenext day:

NUN HAS BEST ASS IN TOWN.

The bishop fainted. He informed the nun that she would have to get ridof the donkey, so she sold it to a fapmer for $10. The next day the paperread:

NUN SELLS ASS FOR $10

This was too much for the bishop, so he ordered the nun to buy back thedonkey and lead it to the plains where it could run wild. The next daythe headlines read:

NUN ANNOUNCES HER ASS IS WILD AND FREE

The bishop was buried the next day.The moral of the story is….being concerned about public opinion canbring you much grief and misery…and even shorten your life. So be yourselfand enjoy life… Stop worrying about everyone else’s ass and you’ll be a lothappier and live longer!!!!!!

–from Rev CarlR

*ONLY 11 DAYS AWAY!*–BIG SUMMER SAVINGS LUAU!(GET LEI’D AND SAVE MONEY TOO!)

Saturday, August 26th!

It’s getting closer, so mark your calendars and get your Hawaiian shirts ready for Saturday, August 26th, because we’re doing the Big Kahuna of all sales …. the SUMMER SAVINGS LUAU at LifeStyle Cycles!

Inside the store: There will be killer deals on new and pre-owned motorcycles, clothing, parts and accessories!

Outside: We’ll have a HUGE area of good pre-owned parts (tank and fender sets, saddlebags, wheels, seats, exhaust systems, etc.), a free bikini bike wash, teriyaki burgers and hot dogs, cool music and so much more.

The party starts at 9:00 AM sharp, and goes until 5:00 PM. You’ll want to get here early for the best selection on these deals!

Experience Aloha at LifeStyle Cycles on Saturday, August 26th!!

BIKE DEAL OF THE WEEK!APC SPIRITS!SAVE $5,000!

Check out this metallic Tangerine 2005 APC Spirit S (5479)! The regular price on this bike is $25,995.00, but we’re practically giving it away for $20,995.00 (plus tax, license, etc.)! This bike features a powerful black and chrome S&S motor, digital gauges, chrome Santee double barrel exhaust pipes, massive 240 rear tire, 6-speed transmission, wire wheels with chrome rims & matching pulley, and a one-year factory warranty … not to mention some serious street attitude! Way too many features to list, come in today and experience the APC Spirit S in person!

JESSE ROOKE FEATURE ON BIKERNET RADIO–Thunder Bob Has Jesse Rooke in Bikernet Radio. Jesse is an interesting guy.

He was born and raised in Phoenix, got into the custom scene after success in kart racing. Early in 2002, contemplating a full-time focus on his kart-racing career, he happened to watch Jesse James on the Discovery Channel. Within six months Rooke had created his first custom bike Dinah. The bike got noticed, winning Best in Show at the 2002 L.A. Calendar Show and was featured on television and in magazines.

His latest bike Darla (pictured), takes the metric class championship at the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building at Sturgis!

Click here to hear Bikernet Radio. Don’t miss it!

T-REX DUALS FROM METRIC THUNDER– NEW Hard Krome T-Rex Duals — Finally a Doublewalled True Dual for the serious Bagger. Our new design features stepped headpipes for better performance.

The T-Rex Duals provide a deep, throaty tone a stock bike really needs to stand out from the pack. The oversized 3″ diameter adds style and intimidation to the rest of the crew.

These are exclusive pipes made from a world-class manufacturer, Hard Krome, and you are assured that not everyone in your club will be sporting these chrome jewels.

Pricing: Thunder Bob is taking $120 off retailFor: FLT/FLHT/FLHR/FLHS ’02-’05
From: Metric Thunder
Who: Thunder Bob
Details: Click the banner for T-Rex DualsPricing: Thunder Bob is taking $120 off retail

BIKERNET INDEPENDENT NOISE STUDY RESPONSE–Keep me updated on the issue.I just got back from Sturgis (awesome ride) and our loud pipes kept the locals away.They do work at keeping people aware of your presence.

Dave Atkinson
Designer
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 245-8834 (voice)

SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING?–“Stewardesses” is the longest word typed with only the left hand and”lollipop” with your right. (Bet you tried this out mentally, didn’t you?)

Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable. (I’ll bet you’regoing to check this out.)

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, orpurple.

“Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters “mt”. (Are youdoubting this?)

The words ‘racecar,’ ‘kayak’ and ‘level’ are the same whether they are readleft to right or right to left (palindromes). (Yep, I knew you were going to”do” this one.)

There are only four words in the English language which end in “dous”:tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. (You’re not doubtingthis, are you?)

There are two words in the English language that have all five vowels inorder: “abstemious” and “facetious.” (Yes, admit it, you are going to say…… a e i o u)

TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only onone row of the keyboard. (All you typists are going to test this out)

–from Joe Lankau

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BIKENET DEAL OF THE WEEK, THE BLUE DEVIL IS LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME– Specs: 96″ S&S Evo style motor with custom top motor mount, 6 Speed primo tranny , all balls chrome high torque starter, primo 3″ open belt with chrome clutch cover, supreme legends foot controls & grips, BDL hand controls, 16″ apes with 2″ risers, PM brake calipers , PBI sprockets, Lucky Devil – devil tail rotors, custom flame engraved 8″ over Sam Springer front end with custom headlight mount , chrome hubs and rims with stainless spokes 16 x 150 rear tire and 21 x 2.25 front tire.

Custom cut & polished wheel spacers, chromite cables, brake & oil lines, custom fabricated neck gussets, stretched and molded mustang gas tank (built into the frame) with pop up gas cap, hand fabricated oil bag and battery box with custom pop up top cover, custom switch covers and chrome emblems, hand fabricated & molded plate / taillight mount, custom Lucky Devil sissy bar, custom cut & trimmed rear fender with built in rear peg mounts with custom fabricated aluminum pegs, custom Lucky Devil exhaust pipes with hand fabricated devil tail mounts.

Hand fabricated seat pan with custom Joe Noack tooled blue leather seat with triple Cordova lacing (very clean and time consuming stitching). Custom Lucky Devil Paint Works blue pearl paint with light ghost flames and Lucky Devil weldor girl logo, Paint By MIke Landburg and airbrush design by Ken Hill on the top of the tank.

Make no mistake – this sweet little chop is a truly one of a kind and is a screaming deal at any price! This also took home a third place trophy from the Easyriders bike show in the old school class and was used for a Lucky Devil Poster Bike.

This bike is brand new and has not been titled. Buyer will be responsible for tax, title and license. Yours for the exclusive Bikernet price of $ 32.000.00

BIKERNET RADIO INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK– Brian Klock of Klock Werks:

Brian Klock, Renaissance Man of the two wheel art form, wrenches from his shop in Mitchell, South Dakota. His crew is just two hours from the annual trip to Mecca, better known at Sturgis.

Thunder Bob put a call into Brian to get the latest on his Bagger, Bobber and Chopper sleds as well as his itinerary for 2006. Time is ticking with shows in Arizona, Laughlin and a Discovery Channel Biker Build Off. Hear the details on Bikernet Radio.

STEEL DREAMS Episode 14:”Rocking & Rollin”-THIS SUNDAY–Ready for some rough and tumble “rock crawling?” This week, Dustin and Becca Webster take you “Rock Crawlin'” in the super-customized rock buggies of “Team Red Bull.” It’s how they build ’em, how they maintain ’em and how they drive ’em in a “fast and furious ride on the wild side” aboard Dustin’s custom buggies and Becca’s famous “Rock’her” climber – with all the topsy-turvy spills and thrills of the pro circuit and nation competitions. It’s adrenaline-charged motor sports action start to finish – sponsored by (who else?) Red Bull.

Next, did we mention “the topsy-turvy spills and thrills of the pro circuit and national competitions?” Of course we did – and one of the best is the exciting W.E. Rock Event in Congress, Arizona. We take you to this year’s 5th Annual “Put Up or Shut Up” Shootout challenge, where some of the best rock crawling drivers in the West tackle a brutal obstacle course, scaling boulders and ravines in wild 37-inch tire machines with “up, down, over and around” maneuvers you have to see to believe.

Then, pro off road racer – Howard Pearl – tells how and why he created Rhino Offroad Industries and turned ATV into RTV with his own brand of “Rough Terrain Vehicles.” His company offers five basic “ready-to-go” RTV models – ranging from $18,000 to $30,000 – that are equally suited for week-end fun or pro off road rock climbing and racing. Watch week-end warriors and serious competitors alike put Pearl’s “Rhino” RTV’s through their paces.

It’s not motor sports on TV – it’s “Steel Dreams” TV.

Check your local listings, April 15

BIKERNET NUMBERS FOR MARCH—Thanks to Bikernet readers our number increased another 17 percent in one month. In April 288,000 folks came to Bikernet for 644,000 visits and 1.1 million impressions. The hit count exceeded 10 million for the first time. Not Bad!

EPA REPORT FROM BRETT SMITH OF S&S– I am traveling again, but took enough of a break between Europe and Australia to go to the MIC meeting. I can tell you that things went very well:

1) The EPA has already authored its Letter of Guidance and it is favorable
2) Although it does not mention “individuals” they desire to have them included and I believe are going to make that change (otherwise only kit bike manufacturers and small volume manufacturers would be eligible); read below
3) It does not eliminate the “kit bike” or “show bike” exclusions.

I have attached the blackline version for your consideration

–Brett

Subject: Applicability of EPA Engine Certification OptionImportance: High

EPA staff indicated today that they DO want INDIVIDUALS to be able to use the engine certification option to build custom motorcycles that are EPA certified.

EPA recognizes that the language in the current draft does NOT provide for that option. Under section II.A of the draft guidance, the engine cert option only applies to: “a new highway motorcycle chassis produced by a small volume manufacturer or a highway motorcycle provided in kit form.”

EPA intends to modify the language so that it WILL apply to individuals building a NEW bike from component parts. This is good news.

Sincerely,

–Pamela Amette

TEXAS NATIONAL BIKE SHOW POSTER CONTEST VOTERS REPORT–Just thought I would let everyone that has voted in the Texas National poster contest, YOU ROCK! I am actually surprised at the number of e-mails that are flooding in on a daily basis. It is hard for me to keep my silence (Girl) but all I can say is that right now a Texas bike is leading in votes! So people if you see something you like or have favorite builder competing, VOTE VOTE VOTE. There is one week left and although it is a holiday weekend, put down that chocolate bunny and get to typing!

Once again I would like to express my everlasting gratitude to Bandit the Golden God (oh you know who you are) for all of your wonderful support for our cause!!

Your humble servant,
–The Devil’s Mistress

P.S. I made a couple of errors in the builders names, it is S&S Custom Cycles, and Synister Cycle Designs, my sincere apologies to these fine builders!

QUICK AND DIRTY NEWS–We’ve pulled back on my LA Calendar show involvement. Motorbooks international wanted me to write a book about 1%ers and I don’t think I’m the man for the job. There’s a number of reasons to pass on that one including my work load for this year. We’re building two bikes to take to Bonneville. I would like to publish one of my own books this year. I’m writing for the HORSE and American Iron and Bikernet is growing like crazy.

I’ve had to drop a couple of sponsorship efforts, because we have enough on our plates with Bubs Bonneville, Carrie’s Seminole Road House series, Billy Lane’s BSGs efforts for Vets, Horsepower promotions events, Texas National Bike Show and Kids And Chrome Charity Event in Sturgis. The deal is that we want to do the best possible job at every goddamn thing we do. There’s only so much time in a day. That’s not to say we won’t post info, articles or news about any charity function or effort. We just can’t sponsor them all.

This week we’re launching a new department on Bikernet to follow our Bonneville efforts. We will cover all three bike builds and hunt for team sponsors. Plus we’re pushing hard for Bubs International Speed Trials Sponsors to support the event in September 3-7.

Can you dig it?

Ride Forever,

–Bandit

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BIKERNET BONNEVILLE-BONNE BELLE-PROGRESS REPORT– We received a communique from none other than Fast Eddie Boomhower himself, regarding the Bonne Belle motor. The following documents are highly classified. This email will self destruct in 2 minutes, so read fast.

This is some kick ass info. You can post some of it on Bikernet if you wish, so the faithful readers can see how it was done BEFORE computers and CNC machines….In other news, I called Jim Leinweber’s shop to discuss the cams, but was informed that he was in a motorcycle accident, and will be on the mend until sometime in May (hopefully).

Godspeed on your recovery, Jim!!!! Now I’m gonna go rattle Justin’s cage about a Deal of the Week…

Keep It Greasy,
–Greg @ DBW
service@departure.com

BEAR BUTTE, SOUTH DAKOTA TO SEE ANOTHER BIKER BAR–Another biker bar will live in the shadow of the sacred Bear Butte in the Northern Black Hills.With a vote of 5 to 0, the Meade County commissioners approved a malt beverage license April 4 for Jay Allen, owner of the soon-to-be Sturgis County Line campground and biker bar, which is located two and one-half miles north of Bear Butte.

More than 500 people, American Indians and supporters, gathered at Bear Butte to pray and offer support in opposition to the license. The group then assembled outside the courthouse where the hearing was held, but not all were able to enter the room in which the hearing was held.

Meade County is the largest county by area in the nation and property rights are nearly sacrosanct. Only two criteria are needed to acquire a malt beverage license: character of the applicant and location of the business.

Since there are other beer licenses within two and one-half miles of Bear Butte, the commissioners said they could not disapprove the application given the fact that Allen has a good record. Allen owns an existing biker bar, the Broken Spoke, which he boasts is one of the biggest such bars in the world – upwards of 500,000 bikers visit the area in the first two weeks of August.Other beer licenses nearby are located at campgrounds and businesses other than large or designated biker bars. Allen plans to construct a 35,000-seat amphitheatre, a campground, RV park and, eventually, a rodeo arena.

”I have a respect for the people [American Indians], but I have a right to do what I’m doing,” Allen said.He said even if the beer license was not approved, he would build the campground.

–from Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

ABATE MEMBERS RIDE TO FLORIDA CAPITOL —The roar of motorcycles could be heard outside the doors of the Florida Capitol Monday.Hundreds of motorcyclists from across Florida rode on the Capitol for their annual rally.In past years, American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) used the lobbying day to call for the repeal of the mandatory helmet law.

While the law was repealed, lawmakers are now talking about requiring bikers to take a mandatory safety education course.The state currently requires a basic rider’s education coarse for any motorcyclist under the age of 21.ABATE of Florida says requiring adult motorcyclists to pay a fee and take a course while not require that of other drivers is unfair.

These bikers said the real issue is that people who drive cars don’t understand the needs of people who ride motorcycles.

Rogue
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005

AMA PRAISES IOWA’S NEW ‘JUSTICE FOR ALL’ LAW– The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) hasannounced that Iowa has enacted a law supporting the goals of the AMA’s”Justice for All” campaign, increasing penalties for drivers who injureor kill others as a result of traffic violations and adding motorcycle-and bicycle-awareness information to the state’s driver-trainingcurriculum.

AMA members joined ABATE of Iowa in lobbying for the law, which wassigned by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack just a day after a similar law wassigned by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin.

The Iowa law adds a fine of $500 or a driver’s-license suspension of upto 90 days, or both, for traffic violations that result in seriousinjury. If a driver causes a death, penalties increase to $1,000 or alicense suspension of up to 180 days, or both. These penalties can beimposed in addition to any other fines.

“This is exactly the kind of law the AMA aims to see passed in all 50states as part of Justice for All,” said AMA Legislative AffairsSpecialist Imre Szauter. “All Iowa motorcyclists who worked to get thislaw approved deserve a lot of credit for bringing justice and awarenessto their state.”

Responding to the disturbing nationwide trend of inadequate sentencesfor motorists who kill or seriously injure other motorists, the AMAlaunched Justice for All in 2004. The campaign’s goals includeincreasing each state’s penalties for violations that result in seriousinjury or death, as well as incorporating motorcycle-awareness modulesin driver-education classes.

Iowa and West Virginia join seven other states in passing legislationthat supports the goals of Justice for All: Arkansas, Maine, New York,North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

For more information about the AMA’s Justice for All campaign, visitwww.AMADirectlink.com/justice.

–from Rogue

BIKERNET WEEKLY PHOTO ART EXHIBIT–Rigid shot recently and minip’d to look like how it rides….some like it rough.

Ride Hard,
Whiplash Biker Photog
mailto:soffordphotos@comcast.net

CUSTOM SEAT SPRING KIT COULD BE THE ANSWER–Pure Kustom Inc.’s New Kleen Springs. These springs were designed for Our P.F.L.’s (PANS FOR LIFE) Seat pans. They come in a machine finish. The springs come powdercoated in black. The cups lock in the springs, so no need for a set screw or plunger type retainer. They are rated at 400lbs full dead weight per pair.

These springs are great for adjustability when mounting to the frame. They can be mounted in front of, behind or on top of the frame rails. They measure 3.600 from center hole to center hole. and measure 4.250 total height. Width is 1.673 They are only sold in kits.

Rear kit (rear tabs and hardware) and full kit (front and rear tabs and hardware).

WORLDWIDE RETAIL SALES OF HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES INCREASE 6.9 PERCENT–Milwaukee, Wis., April 12, 2006 — Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today announced record revenue and earnings for its first quarter ended March 26, 2006. Revenue for the quarter was $1.29 billion compared with $1.24 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 4.0 percent increase. Net income for the quarter was $234.6 million compared to $227.2 million, an increase of 3.2 percent over the first quarter of 2005. First quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.86, an 11.7 percent increase compared with last year’s $0.77.

“Harley-Davidson is off to an excellent start for 2006, having achieved record revenue and earnings,” said Jim Ziemer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Harley-Davidson, Inc. “In addition, our dealers continued their retail sales growth momentum from the second half of 2005 as motorcycle sales increased by approximately 7 percent worldwide in the first quarter. With the increased seasonality in our business, we are pleased with this retail sales performance,” said Ziemer.

Harley-Davidson’s second quarter shipment plan is 78,000 2006 model year motorcycles. Production in the second quarter will also include approximately 13,000 2007 models to prepare for the new model introduction in mid July; however, these 2007 motorcycles will not be shipped until the third quarter.

The Company’s wholesale shipment target for the calendar year 2006 remains between 348,000 and 352,000 Harley-Davidson? motorcycles. “We believe that the prospects for retail growth remain strong and support a wholesale unit growth rate in the range of 5 to 9 percent annually and an annual EPS growth rate of 11 to 17 percent,” said Ziemer.

NEW XB BOARDTRACKER–Good meeting you a few weeks back at Cincy. Anyway I wanted to get you a couple of pictures of our nearly completed XB Boardtracker-inspired bike. This was, as of last weekend, with just the oil line plumbing a couple of other odds and ends to take care of. Thought I would pass these along and see what you thought of it, since we talked about it briefly out there. I made the billet mid-controls (our first set ever) as well as the air cleaner, sprocket cover, axle covers and chain drive shift linkage system.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Justin Schillling
Owner: Two-Bit Choppers
Phone: 970-587-5867
Cell: 970-301-0065

AMDRAGS Expands Outlaw Pro Stock Rules– The AMDRAGS American V-Twin motorcycle drag racing series has opened up its featured Outlaw Pro Stock class to allow nitrous oxide as well as small-displacement carbureted nitro-fueled machine.

“A lot of racers and manufacturer have suggested we expand the rules for the Outlaw Pro Stock,” said AMDRAGS race director Matt Polito. “We looked hard at these changes and got a lot of support across the board. This is going to be a real outlaw class and I think the racers and fans will really respond to it.”

The OPS class will now allow traditional Pro Dragster bikes and Pro Gas bikes with the exception of turbochargers.

“Turbocharged machines present such performance potential, they are a real problem for us,” continued Polito. “We felt it won’t be long before the turbo bikes would dominate the class. We decided not to allow them because it would be too difficult to maintain parity with the configurations that we do allow.”

The complete rules can be viewed at http://www.amdrags.com/.

AMDRAGS will compete a 3-race series in 2006 including stops in Rockingham, North Carolina, Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania, and Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland. The events will feature professional and sportsman drag racing open to American V-twin motorcycles, the Thunder Alley Race School, and American Iron Showbike Association series.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THEDAYTONA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT!RECEIVED 04/07/2006 09:30AM–My name is Detective Schlieper of the Daytona Beach Police Department. On 4/6/2006 Mr. Scott Yadro was arrested for committing an ORGANIZED SCHEME TO DEFRAUD OVER $50,000, a first degree felony. He used a bondsman shortly thereafter to post $50,000 bond. This case currently only represents 15 victims; I believe there may be more victims. If you believe you are an additional victim in this case please contact me in the following manner and provide the following information to me.

* STEP ONE: E-mail me a chronological narrative as to what happened to you. Please include at the least your telephone number, name, and address. My E-mail address is SchlieperS@dbpd.us. My contact information is included below as well. I prefer you use E-mail as this lets me print out your the narratives. You will probably get a faster response over E-mail as well.

* STEP TWO: Fax me, E-mail me, or snail mail me the evidence. This must be some form of proof that you paid Mr. Yadro money or that Mr. Yadro owes you money: an invoice, a check copy, a money order copy, a copy of the credit card statement, or similar item. Also include any written correspondence between you and Mr. Yadro that you can.

* STEP THREE: I will contact you by telephone to obtain a taped sworn statement. I will swear you in, establish your identity, and you will verbally tell me what had occurred.

I thank you for your understanding. This is still a very large case and it has taken me a very long time to complete it. If you don’t know where you stand in this matter, feel free to drop me an E-mail. Again, you will probably receive a quicker response over E-mail than over the telephone.

DETECTIVE SIEGFRIED SCHLIEPER
ID NUMBER 28943
(You may contact the Daytona Beach Police Department directly to confirm the identity of the Detective.)
Daytona Beach Police Department
990 Orange Avenue
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
Phone Number: (386) 671-5100 extension 5213
(386) 671-5213
FAX: (386) 671-5236
E-mail Address: SchlieperS@dbpd.us

AEROMACH TECH FROM JOHNNY WHITE-We’re about to post a FLH gas cap replacement tech from Aeromach and Johnny White. Watch for it in the Bikernet Tech section.

STEALTH SHOP REPORT FROM CHARLOTTE–“The Meanest” and I rode to our first bike night of the season last night. It was a beautiful night. The air was cool and the stars were bright, in others words perfect! We saw a lot of Stealth Bike Works customers and I talked bikes and projects with a few. I really get into that part of the shop.

Here at the shop we have been pretty busy. We continue to attract new customers. Next week on Friday night, SBW will host our first “Biker Night.’ As the name implies it is about ‘BIKERS” and in a small way, our way of saying “Thanks’ to all who have supported Stealth Bike Works. You can come by just to hang out with us. We will have food and Biker Build Off’s will be on the T.V. I hope it turns into a time where we get together with our friends and customers and just kick back and talk bikes or whatever comes up.

One thing I wanted to mention is that “The Meanest” has decided she wants to learn to ride! Next weekend she is taking the riders course. I am proud of her! It was her idea and I did not talk her into it. One thing concerns me though, she keeps talking about taking one of my bikes for a ride????

Chopper John has been busy building a rigid frame for his S&S Sportster. It is coming along nicely and I should have some pictures next week. We got our paint back for our 71 Shovel project and I will also have pictures of that next week, so stay tuned.

All of us at Stealth Bike works would like to wish all of you a Happy Easter!

Until Next week, RIDE!
–STEALTHMAN

SCREAMIN’ EAGLE ARIZONA BIKE WEEK NATIONALS HEATS UP IN PHOENIX–More Than 300 Harley-Davidson Entries Vie for Top Honor.In 2005 Doug Vancil rode his Harley-Davidson Top Fuel entry to his first victory of the season at the fourth event of the AHDRA series. Vancil went on to finish second in the national Screamin’ Eagle championship chase.

Vancil is off to an even quicker start in 2006. Vancil led a host of winners Sunday at the Screamin’ Eagle Arizona Bike Week Nationals Presented by Arrowhead Harley-Davidson and Chandler Harley-Davidson at Firebird International Raceway.

Vancil beat Steve Dorn in the Top Fuel final – just the second event of the season and second of four events sponsored by Screamin’ Eagle. Vancil blasted down the quarter-mile track with a 6.629-second pass at 206.73 mph to earn his first victory of the season. Dorn went 6.641 at 207.30. Vancil started eliminations in the No. 4 spot, qualifying with a 6.569.

In the Destroyer category, Tripp Nobles earned the victory for Las Vegas Harley-Davidson by turning in a 9.399 pass at 140.87 over Daniel Harvey in the final when Harvey fouled at the starting line. Nobles also took the top honors in qualifying with a 9.409 pass.

KW Seneca took the holeshot victory over Dan DeGood in the SEP category, turning in a .051-second reaction time to beat DeGood’s .201 at the line. The quick start aided the slower but winning 11.603 pass. DeGood, riding his retirement season, rode to a 11.464. Seneca was 18th in qualifying with an 11.601 time.

Jeff Lange took the victory in the ET final round, beating Robert McConnell with a 11.062 second pass to McConnell’s 11.525.

The next AHDRA event is the Lonestar Nationals in Dallas, April 22-23.

THREE DISCOVERY BIKER BUILD-OFFS HEADED TOWARD STURGIS–Everything is cool. In fact three BBO builds are going to end up at Sturgis: Perewitz vs. Yaffe, Jason Hart vs. Brian Klock and Detroit Bros. vs. Jason Kangas. The rides will end up at three different locations. We are determining which three as we speak.

So I will see you there.

Hugh King
aka Chopper King

Continued On Page 3

Hey,

It’s another strange week. The Iraqi war created stress all over the country, especially when folks fear the President lied about going there. Here’s my theory: His dad told him, “Son, if you get elected President, you’ve got to promise to finish my botched job in Iraq.”

“But Dad,” George Jr. said.

Don’t sass me, son,” Bush Sr. said, “You’ll come up with a reason, make something up. Just do it.”

So that’s my theory and I’m sticking with it.

This year is just rolling and it’s been packed with opportunities, controversy, regulations, and many good things. We’re faced with EPA stuff that’s constantly changing. I had the chance to become a partner in a bike show and write a book for Motorbooks, consult for TV, write for more mags and work with a lot of terrific builders.

I’ve grappled with some, had to say no to others and enjoy the hell out of a few. There’s something in my soul that wants to help and do everything, but that’s not possible.

Let’s hit the news and I’ll finish this discussion at the end:

Hallo Leute,–wir w?rden uns freuen, wenn ihr die folgende News in einer eurer n?chstenAusgaben ver?ffentlichen k?nntet.Im Anhang findet ihr das dazugeh?rige Bild.

Mit bestem Dank im voraus,euer Team -Choppers World Gelsenkirchen-

Seitenweise geile TeileDie Jungs von der Choppersworld haben keinen Winterschlaf gehalten. Vielmehr rotierten hier die grauen Zellen auf Hochtouren, um s?mtliche Teile ausder eigenen Fertigung zu katalogisieren. Das Ergebnis kann sich sehenlassen: Sauber gegliedert finden sich auf den ansprechenden Seiten dieunterschiedlichen Felgendesigns genauso wieder, wie die T?V-gepr?ften Rahmenaus der eigenen Produktion, zahlreiche GFK Parts, oder ungez?hlte, n?tzlicheKleinteile. Gewerbliche Wiederverk?ufer sind hier genauso willkommen, wieder Privatmann auf der Suche nach hochwertigen, aber bezahlbaren Parts.Gegen eine Schutzgeb?hr von 5 Euro k?nnt ihr das Werk direkt bei derChoppers World ordern.

www.choppersworld.deInfo-Tel.:+49(0)209/9882685

JIMS TOOL OF THE WEEK–This is it. New JIMS tools. JIMS make a incredible array ofspecial tools that will make all the difference in the world toalmost any Harley mechanical task. We’re going to start to run atool of the week in the news, but we’re kicking it off with thisbatch in the garage.http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=830

If you don’t see a tool you can use here, click on thebanner above and check the JIMS web site for thousands ofspecial tool. I wish I could afford all of ’em.

–Wrench

Fat 5 Transmission Trap Door Puller & Bearing Tool–

This tool will remove and install the transmission door bearings. It can be used to remove the transmission door for replacement without removing the complete transmission assembly. Door bearings must be replaced if using this tool to pull door from case. Replace bearings with JIMS No.8992.

No. 1077 – Use on JIMS FAT 5 Overdrive Transmissions.

DEER ATTACKS ANOTHER RIDER WRITER–I just learned from Bill Stermer that Rider’s Safety Editor, Larry Grodsky, was killed Saturday night when he hit a deer as he tried to make it to his mother’s birthday party after attending a safety conference.

There must be some cycle in effect. I had just heard today about Johnny Chop .I had recently done a lengthy interview with him and as a result knew about much of his life and family. Then I get a phone call and it’s all over. And I remember when Christian died testing the Ural sidecar last year. A deer, a truck, a faulty heart…Fate has a wide choice of implements.

Mortality has taken firmer shape since my last “milestone” birthday. I think now in terms of things I want to get accomplished. It’s all about time. Not enough of it. Every minute counting, something I need to remember. Time with our children. Time to contribute to making the world a better place by some degree.

I am back on my motorcycle, though limp back and forth to it upon arrival at some destination. Last night I finally saw “The World’s Fastest Indian” and I was amazed at my emotional response when I saw the band of riders on old Brit bikes snarling their way along the beach. I had this sudden realization of how much I loved motorcycling. I didn’t expect it,but valued my own reaction. It’s good to care about something.

–Paul G.

THIS WEEKEND QUICK THROTTLE MAGAZINE SHOW IN ORANGE COUNTY–PLEASE JOIN US ON APRIL 14th & 15th FOR THE QT EXPO AT O.C. FAIRGROUNDS!

See our last event, 9-11 Patriot Ride on Speed Channel’s American Thunder.Click Here!

–Lisa Dalgaard
Associate Publisher
Quick Throttle Magazine
Free Wheelin Magazine
www.quickthrottlemag.com
888-770-9866
949-677-2453 cell

KIDS & CHROME IS CALLING YOU-OWN THIS BIKE–The Kids & Chrome benefit at the Sturgis Rally last August drew the support of some of the biggest names in the motorcycle industry. The sponsor list read like a “who’s who” of our business, helping raise $500,000, a big down payment for the new kids’ hospital. This year’s event is shaping up to be bigger and better than last year, with new sponsors signing on almost daily, according to Bob Illingworth, Kids & Chrome Director of Fundraising. www.kidsandchrome.com

One of the most exciting deals with Kids & Chrome is the opportunity to own one of two hot new motorcycles. The bike above is a full, one-off custom-designed, built, and donated by the incredible Jerry Covington of Covington’s Customs. Tickets for the Covington bike are $100, or six for $500, with only 1,000 to be sold.

The second bike is a hot, slammed “Frontier” bagger (shown below) from Todd & Shelly Erdman of Thunder Mountain Customs. The tickets for the Thunder Mountain bike are $20, or three for $50 with only 2,500 total tickets to be sold. Tickets are available at www.kidsandchrome.com or 605-782-2331.

The drawings will be held at this year’s Kids & Chrome dinner and auction, to be held on Wednesday, August 9, at the Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center. The evening’s five star dinner will be truly first-class, including an open bar. Tickets for the event are $175 per person, or an eight-person table can be reserved for $2,500. The doors open at 5:00 pm, with silent auction bidding and social hour until 6:30. Dinner is at 7:00; followed by the presenting of the 2006 Teresi Prize, live auction, and bike drawings.

The Kids & Chrome dinner and fundraiser sponsored by Bikernet.com, gives everybody not only the opportunity to help a great cause, but also to meet the finest people in the motorcycle world. To get involved in this exciting event, contact Bob Illingworth 623-544-2923, lobbymc@yahoo.com

Remember, to really be an industry leader, you gotta have a heart.

Kids & Chrome
2501 West 26th Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
www.kidsandchrome.com

WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN DVD TO BE SOLD ON BIKERNET–Damn! Too bad! I was going to buy you a bunch of JD (yeah, easy for me to say, now, eh???) in Laughlin.

Hope to see you at Bonneville. Finally saw the World’s Fastest Indian a couple of weeks ago. I wish I’d known Munro. I like that guy’s style. The movie really fired me up to come out to Bonneville at the end of the summer and see The World’s Fastest Editor.

Ride Safe, Brother. Trip report from Laughlin, especially if I get in trouble….

–Hiway

BIKERNET DAYROLL APPROVED–Just got the Dayroll. Just too cool fer skool! Thanks again and keep up the good work. (Maybe I can retire to such a vocation!)

–Billy

EPA ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED–Based on numerous discussions and meetings held in Wisconsin at S & S Cycle and at Bikernet Headquarters in California recently as a follow up to our meetings in Cincy here is what I believe we have agreed upon we the MRF will carry into the EPA this week in an attempt to better align our collective agenda’s.

1) Modifications should be allowed that are better (lesser or equal value) from an emissions standpoint than the worst case scenario the certification would occur under

question: who defines and how determined, method of acceptance

2) KEY-No current exemptions lost at the expense of the Engine Certification-Letter of Guidance

question: can they in fact be expanded to say something such as “limited use” rather than “to and from show bikes” and can we broaden the one per lifetime to something such as “one at a time” within the same Letter of Guidance

3) further discuss the Pay to Play option initially brought up by the EPA, the MRF found more support than we were told we would find amongst V-Twin Committee members

4) question: any way to expand the “kit bike” definitions

5) update the discussions with the EPA on the World Cycle Test Cycle Emissions testing platform and their thoughts on the recent push within UN-ECE Working Party 29 and GRB to assign lomit values to the test procedure.

Comments/thoughts?

Kirk “Hardtail” Willard
MRF Vice President & MRF International Motorcycle Cooperation Group Representative
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

BIKERNET INVESTIGATES CARBON FIBER FRAME AND ROLLING CHASSIS FROM REVOLUTION– Speaking of your carbon fiber frame…take a look at this…will get you more details… This was published on Kneeslider.com.

A few days ago, Motorcycle-Blog.com linked to Revolution Speed and Custom because of their new carbon fiber chopper frames. No pictures were available then but they just put up a few. Although there is a lot of carbon fiber available for fenders and chain guards and other non-structural pieces, I don’t remember seeing any other company promoting an entire frame so this may be the first. Some custom builders have used carbon fiber frames before for chassis components like Confederate Motorcycles uses for their fork and carbon fiber has been widely used in racing so it will be interesting to see what happens when more builders have a chance to incorporate it into their own designs.

Update Just had a comment posted mentioning Carbo Tech with a link to Streetfighters USA and a photo of a carbon fiber frame for a Ducati 916. Carbo Tech makes a lot of non structural pieces but this photo shows a complete frame. That link and others give no detail about it although you can just add it to your cart for $14,995. Looks like you have to call for more info. Looks very nice though and is much closer to the racing applications I mentioned, more what I would expect for carbon fiber as opposed to the chopper frame shown above.

–from Paul Garson

BIKERNET VISITS ILLUSION MOTORCYCLES- Check in our Special Report section-Behind the Scene– the article on Rusty and Rod’s Illusion motorcycles. You’ll see more in the HORSE shortly and on Bikernet.

Helluva team and a story.

Friday, APRIL 14th and Saturday, April 15thORANGE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS,Costa Mesa, CA,www.ocfair.com–Thunder Mountain Customs of Orange County and Orange County Harley-Davidson are thrilled to present the first Motorcycle Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds in 5 years Sponsored by Bikernet.com!

We will kick off the riding season on Friday, April 14th & Saturday, April 15th at the Orange County Fairgrounds & Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

The purpose of this 2-day event is to bring riders, vendors and manufacturers together, 2 weeks before the Laughlin event.

In one location, riders will be able to buy a new motorcycle by Thunder Mountain Customs, Orange County Harley-Davidson and many others. You will be able to get an oil change on your bike, buy parts, chrome, a GPS, a new seat and see all the latest gadgets and gizmos that make your lifestyle that much better.

You can watch a fashion show by Lifestyles Cycles and get yourself some new leathers and other clothing, talk to your favorite motorcycle attorney, sign up for other events that are happening later on in the year, meet and greet your favorite builder, meet your favorite Celebrity Biker Branscombe Richmond and may of his celebrity friends. Check out the KLOS 95.5 radio goodie Van, watch a pin stripping demonstration by Rock & Roll Paint or win the $1,000 gift certificate toward your very own custom paint job, enter a raffle to win a one of a kind NASCAR motorcycle or a very unique chopper, listen to your favorite music watch a biker movie and even bring the kids over to see the farm animals and visit with the Easter Bunny!

CYCLEDOME PROVIDES A GARAGE IN MINUTES– Protection Has Never Been So Easy, The unique new CycleDome takes only minutes to assemblewith a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. Then, simply roll thebike in and pull the cover shut–it’s that easy. It is the idealsolution for any motorcycle enthusiast who wants to protecthis/her bike from dirt, dust and other damaging elements.

The CycleDome features a rugged, powder-coated frame, zinc-plated fasteners and water/UV-resistant laminated polyester fabric.It also comes with a hard surface anchor system for extra securityin extreme weather that can also be used for a locking device witha standard padlock.

The hard surface system, designed for set-up on concrete orpavement, includes flat head screws, clamping brackets and PVCanchors.

An optional soft surface anchor system, for surfaces such as grass,dirt, etc., includes clamping brackets, plates and ground screws.

Once set-up is completed, the Cycle Dome can be deployed orcollapsed flat for easy storage in seconds.

For information, visit http://www.cycledome.com or call 800) 735-2822.

PDK Automotive
4590 W. 61st Ave.
Hobart, IN 46342

NEW!! Calendar Show Exotic Motorcycle Auction–Got your last year’s Hot Custom or an old Show Bike and its time to move it out the door?Place it up for sale With or Without a Reserve at our exciting new Saturday evening Calendar Show Auction.

Email us a picture of the bike and we will preview it on our website: Click Here

NEW SUCKER PUNCH SALLY BIKE ON BIKERNET–It’s one of the boss’s new rides. Check the story in the Bikernet Bike Feature area. We’re also waiting on a Saxon bike to road test. Seems a mag writer tried his hand at a burn-out and lost it. It’s being repaired at LA Chop Rods up the street. You’ll see it soon.

BIKERNET MARITIAL COUNSELING–A man was having problems with premature ejaculation. This was affecting marital relations with his wife so he decided to go to the doctor. He asked the doctor what could he do to cure his problem.

In response the doctor said, “When you feel the urge to ejaculate, try startling yourself”. One the way home the man went to a sports store and bought himself a starter pistol. All excited to try out this suggestion he runs home to his wife. When he gets home he is surprised and delighted to find his wife in bed, already naked. He’s so horney and keen to try out his new ‘system’ that he doesn’t think twice and leaps on board.

After a few minutes, slap and tickle? they find themselves in the ’69’ position. Sure enough, only moments later the man feels the sudden urge to come. Following doctor’s orders, he grabs the starter pistol off the bedside table and fires it.

The next day, the man went back to the doctor. The doctor asked, “How did it go?”

The man answered, “Just great, asshole…when I fired the pistol my wife shit on my face, bit 3 inches off my dick and my neighbor came out of the closet naked with his hands in the air!”

–from Joe Lankau

Continued On Page 2

Horse magazine and Bikernet have long sought to find the evilmystics behind the chopper world. The DiscoveryChannel followed suit with their research of JesseJames, Billy Lane, and currently Louie Falcigno. But anotorious figure has escaped the media attention. PatKennedy has been carving choppers out of crude steelsince 1969.

Living in a small seaside village of Oceanside,California, he was a disgruntled freedom fighter whonurtured a reclusive nature with his brothers in ashop that continues to exist today. There he built anenclave of steel creativity in a side room protectedby his dog, Bullseye. No one was allowed in the back.He came to work early and hammered on his projectslate to avoid citizens and the curious. Then thegovernment passed helmet laws and Pat could sense thathis freedoms were waning. Mysteriously, he disappearedinto the Arizona desert.

We had lost track of Pat shortly after his marriage toBrook, which took place in their Tombstone fort home.Darrell Pinney, their custom painter, tattooed Pat’swedding finger with his band of love. We werereasonably confident that a sharp investigative reporter could ride into atown of 1,300 and find the Kennedys.

Tombstone became a silver mining haven in 1877 when EdSchieffel, the founder of the city, bought up theToughnut, Lucky Cuss, and the Contention Mines wherehe discovered silver and ore. In January 1879, he kickedoff the Tombstone Mill and Mining Company to thecity’s delight. By March of 1880, the first railroadfrom Tombstone to Tucson was completed. The cityexploded to a population of 7,000–the size of SanFrancisco at the time. In 1881, the first telegraphwas established. Tombstone was rockin’.

Then Virgil Earp, the brother of former Marshal WyattEarp, became the chief of police on July 4, 1881 and onOctober 26, 1881 the gunfight at the OK Corral shattered the town, whichresulted in the deaths of Tom McLowery,Frank McLowery, and Billy Clanton. Virgil and MorganEarp were assassinated shortly afterwards. By 1912,the Arizona territory reached statehood, but Tombstonewas rocked by the Great Depression, two devastatingfires, and floods that filled the mines like the touchof death to the city’s only industry. The population in the desert berg ofcactus and drydirt roads dwindled to a handful of rattlesnake lovers and OK Corralfollowers.

We sent an equally reclusive moto-journalist,Renegade, on a 1948 Panhead with Baisely dual-carburetor heads, into thedesert to find the Kennedy clan. Itwas rumored that they were hiding in the hills aroundTombstone, Arizona, near a small, desert town on highground near the border of Mexico. Renegade rode forsix hours into Tombstone, the desert community southof Tucson, to find them.

Renegade’s Pan broke down as he entered the town of ahandful of dirt streets today. The vibration took its toll on the handmadecarb linkage. He tinkered and waited onthe wooden sidewalk near the post office that sported the Kennedy address.Brook Kennedy showed up the next day topick up the mail in a mid-’50s Dodge station wagon andeyed the long-haired rider suspiciously. Renegade lacks social graces, butattemped to befriend the lovely Mrs. Kennedy. He cantrue a wheel and isn’t a bad wrench when he isn’tpissed off about something, so she put him to the test.

Brook has a nature for helping people, but Pat taughther toughness and suspicion of others. Renegade was offered tools and aplace to work on his 54 year old ride in exchange for wheel lacing, beforebeing allowed near their innersanctum. Brook explained that they sold their home in Tombstone to atraveling doctor, but kept the small rental out back.

Renegade was given tools and a place to rest his headwhile Brook brought him a couple of 80-spoke wheels tolace and true. She watched closely as he performed thetask on a bench that resided over polished hardwoodfloors in the small two-bedroom clapboard home thatshe and Pat had restored. Brook smiled; she had thetanned look of a countrywoman who loved the outdoorsand wasn’t caught up in the layers of make-uprestricted to city life. She didn’t need it.

After two days of testing on a variety of thespecialized Kennedy wheels, which included80-, 120-, 160-, and now 240-spoke wheels, Renegadewas pulled from the bench and lead outside. Brook kept him alive withmulti-colored chips and salsa, plus Chorizo and eggs for breakfast.Their lineof wheels were carefully designed with the finestcomponents they could manufacture, including stainlessspokes in several varieties from twisted to diamondpattern and polished stainless hubs. Wheels are stillavailable in chrome and in sizes from 15- to 21-inch.By the time Brook invited Renegade out oftown–seemingly to their hideaway–he knew theirentire line of high-quality custom wheels thoroughly.

She cut a dusty trail out of Tombstone while Renegadefollowed, and followed, until he suspected that he wasbeing lured on a ride from which no man returns. Theroad was a straight shot over hot asphalt through theflat desert, scattered with Yucca plants and driedtumbleweed. For as far as he could see, it was openand barren until they turned left on a highway thatparted with the desert and roamed into the hills.

It was as if he was being lured to a shallow grave.Had he laced a 240-spoke wheel and unconsciouslymissed a spoke? Or did his truing tolerances falter tohis demise? He looked to his rumbling Panhead beneath him for a sign of wellbeing. Some eight miles from the crossroads tonowhere, she spun right off the narrow two-lanehighway as if she were attempting to lose him.Renegade envisioned the old ominous, Kennedy fort-like facility on FreemontStreet in Tombstone, with 10-foot-highwalls surrounding the stucco compound. He had livedthe life of a biker on the run for over a decade, yetthe site of the forboding structure gave him the chills as if he was at thegates of a penitentary. What would their next facility look like?

It was too late to turn around and find his way backto the highway. He followed the narrow path off theroad and down the gravel lane beside the slope of thehill into a narrow wooded valley. He suspected thatescape would be difficult. He couldn’t imagine tryingto leave on foot, running without his Pan beside him.The washboard road passed through a stream and therocks slipped and slithered beneath his tires. As theroad lifted, he could see a small country home loom upin the rugged oak trees ahead, and a man lumbered out onto the frontporch without a smile on his face. He had the look ofa knowing man, comfortable with the knowledge that hewas aware of what would happen next. He wasn’t a bigman, but taut and agile with bright eyes surrounded bya full head of salt-and-pepper hair pulled into aponytail. A narrow, gray goatee highlighted histanned, rugged features. He moved to Renegade’s sideas our reporter slid to a stop in the sandy dry soil. Pat’sT-shirt was missing its sleeves and his arms werecovered with intricate black tattoos.

“Come this way,” Pat said, without introducinghimself. Renegade pondered whether to lock his bike orrun, but decided that it was useless. He followed Patto the shop compound. “Let me show you around,” Patsaid in a gracious host-type manner as if Renegade wasa distant friend who hadn’t seen his new facilities.”I don’t want to make a zillion parts,” Pat said. “Isell a few and build enough to build five bikes ayear.” Renegade nodded and tugged on his own long blackgoatee as he followed tentatively.

“I live to build motorcycles,” Pat said. His blue eyesflickered in the blistering sunlight as if he hadadmitted to a long-term romance. It was the key toPat’s anti-social behavior. Renegade discoveredquickly that Pat and Brook loved their solitarylifestyles. As Pat showed him around he was alsoconfronted with their vast bike-building capabilities.Pat showed him the various stations were hefabricates, molds, primes, and paints each bike. Brookhandles the artwork and graphics. She also laceswheels, runs the office, and performs the seat andupholstery functions.

Pat is the mechanic, the designer, machinist for theprototypes, and he builds the frames. He has workedwith one small machine shop on the coast that has manufacturedmost of his components and frame parts for the last 20years.

As Pat showed Renegade the final assembly area where acouple of full custom choppers were entering theirfinal stages, he turned to Renegade and his deepfeatures turned somber. “We like to work with educatedbuyers,” he said. “Guys and gals who know what they want andlike what we build. We don’t build bikes to look likewhat another builder creates. We’re true to what wedo.”

Renegade nodded in agreement and looked around theimmaculate facility, which contained photographs ofa myriad custom bikes for which Pat was responsible.He designed his version of long bike before many of builders saw chrome forthe first time, andhe stayed true to it. Pat even developed and workedwith his machinist to manufacturer adjustable, rakedtriple trees for his wide glides and recently designedan adjustable raked springer for his own customers.

“Brook handles all the initial stages of dealing withcustomers.” Pat’s eyes brightened with relief thatBrook could take care of all the negotiating and help customers through theprocess of ordering.Once a customer was proven to be reliable and sincere,Pat took over. “Some 50 percent of our projects arerigids, the other 50 percent are Softails. We don’tbuild rubbermount bikes, but we work with virtuallyany driveline a customer wants.” He even builds hisown stainless handlebars and exhaust.

Since escaping even deeper into the hills, Pat hasdevoted more time to quality components, focused onfine tuning his craft, and studied the materials heuses. The sky softened with rich Harley orange hues asPat lead Renegade back toward the dual-carbed Panhead.Brook came to Pat’s side as he looked at the richsunset. Renegade fired the Panhead to life.

“When I close my eyes, I only see choppers,” Patmuttered, as if a mystic staring into a crystal ball.He held Brook close as they turned and headed backtoward the compound and Renegade rumbled toward the highway.–Bandit